The Strength of the Leadership Team at Children's Lighthouse

In the world of franchising, the strength of a company often lies in its leadership. At Children’s Lighthouse, the leadership team’s vast experience and deep-rooted passion for early childhood education have been instrumental in shaping the brand into a leader in the child care industry. Here’s a closer look at the key figures who drive the success of Children’s Lighthouse and their impressive backgrounds.

Meet the Children’s Lighthouse Team

Michael Brown, President

Michael Brown, the president of Children’s Lighthouse, has been an integral part of the company since its inception. As the son of one of the founders, Brown’s involvement in the family business began early, and his passion for innovation and excellence has only grown over the years. After earning a B.S. in Finance from the University of Texas, Brown joined the company full-time in 2006. He plays a pivotal role in supporting franchisees, from obtaining lender financing to overseeing project management and financial modeling.

“My dad’s goal was to build a business that could be passed down to us or one we could grow into,” said Brown. “As kids, we kept busy helping with whatever was needed at the schools — watering plants, changing air filters or handling maintenance. I started at the bottom, working in various roles within the company, and gradually moved into our franchise department. Overall, working in this family-centric environment not only helped us grow as a franchise, but also brought us closer as a family, which was an incredibly rewarding experience. We want to share that joy with other entrepreneurial families.”

Stephanie Russ, Vice President & General Counsel

Stephanie Russ brings more than 30 years of experience to her role as vice president and general counsel of Children’s Lighthouse. After serving as the company’s outside counsel for a decade, Russ officially joined the team in 2019. Her expertise extends beyond legal matters, as she also leads the development and implementation of strategic processes that strengthen the brand and improve franchisee profitability. Russ’ background includes significant roles in operations, training and human resources with large national franchisors, and she holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and a law degree from Texas A&M School of Law.

Matt Kelton, Vice President of Franchise Development

A third-generation franchise leader, Matt Kelton joined Children’s Lighthouse in 2024 with 25 years of industry experience. His career began as a successful multi-unit franchisee, and he has since held significant roles, including brand president/chief operating officer for franchises like Computer Renaissance and Showhomes Home Services. Kelton’s expertise in driving multimillion-dollar revenue growth and revitalizing struggling enterprises has made him a key asset to Children’s Lighthouse.

“The culture and foundation that Michael’s dad and uncle established is what really drew me to this company,” said Kelton. “They have a solid model and the demand is bigger than ever. They’re well capitalized, they have a great team in place and the potential for growth is incredible.”  He holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from TCU.

Colin Berry, Vice President of Brand Development

Since joining Children’s Lighthouse in 2019, Colin Berry has been instrumental in developing and managing marketing strategies for both individual schools and the brand at a national level. With over a decade of experience in franchise marketing, Berry has held roles at other well-known brands such as T.G.I. Fridays, MOOYAH Burgers and Mr. Gatti’s Pizza. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Union College and has received marketing accreditation from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

Shelly Pair, Vice President of Operations

Shelly Pair leads the Operations team at Children’s Lighthouse, bringing 26 years of experience in educational childcare leadership. Her extensive knowledge of the industry, coupled with her customer-service focus, has been a key factor in the success of franchisees across the country. Pair holds a Bachelor of Science in Family Science from the University of Nebraska and has demonstrated her ability to drive significant revenue growth in previous roles.

Dr. Kristi Smith, Director of Education & Training

Dr. Kristi Smith is the brain behind the innovative curriculums at Children’s Lighthouse. With over 30 years of experience as an early education administrator, Dr. Kristi is committed to providing schools with creative, proprietary curriculums that set the brand apart from competitors. She holds a Doctorate of Education in Leadership and a Master of Education in Early Education Administration, and she has extensive experience teaching educators worldwide.

A Unified Vision for Success

The leadership team at Children’s Lighthouse is more than just a group of experienced professionals — they are a cohesive unit with a shared vision for the future. Together, they bring a wealth of knowledge, a deep commitment to education and a passion for supporting franchisees in their journey toward success.

“We’ve built an incredible team that’s dedicated to helping our franchisees achieve their dreams,” said Brown. “Our leadership team is all about creating a culture where franchisees feel supported and valued. We are a family, and we want our franchisees to feel like they are part of that family.”

With such a strong leadership foundation, Children’s Lighthouse is well-positioned for continued growth, offering franchisees the opportunity to build a meaningful business that impacts the lives of children and families across the country.

For more information on franchising with Children’s Lighthouse, visit: https://1851franchise.com/childrens-lighthouse/.

About Children’s Lighthouse

The Children’s Lighthouse brand was established in Ft. Worth, Texas in 1997. Children’s Lighthouse Early Learning Schools™ promise to create a safe, fun, and happy place that gives children confidence, a sense of comfort today, and a lifelong love of learning, friendship, and community. Its proprietary curriculum helps children of all ages develop healthy brains, bodies and best behaviors.